Saturday, 28 July 2018

My sketchbook from Moniack Mhor, the writers' centre near Loch Ness, where I've been teaching this week with the lovely Joan Lennon. It's been an amazing week, and I managed to do some pictures during my off-duty moments.

Friday, 20 July 2018

The novelist - lovely Essie Fox - has just posted this on Instagram about The Brenda and Effie Mysteries... It's a really good introduction for those who've never read them...

"How did I come so late to the Brenda and Effie mysteries? I only know that once I’ve started I didn’t want to stop until I’d read every title in this joyous series of novels. Imagine the flavour of Coronation Street combined with the Addams family, with a hefty dose of Arsenic and Old Lace thrown into the mix. At the heart of an eccentric cast of charismatic characters is the B & B landlady, Brenda, who runs her pristine establishment while concealing secrets from a dreadful past. Effie, the prim old woman who runs the junk shop just next door is soon to be her dearest friend, with the two enjoying nothing more than a natter over a cuppa, or a supper from Cod Almighty, the local fish and chip shop. But the quiet life is soon to end when they find themselves immersed in a rising tide of evil in the seaside town of Whitby, defending it from mayhem, malevolence and monsters. Paul Magrs’ unique and twisted tales turn the literary gothic canon in its head.

One of my happiest accidents. So funny. So endearing. Full of warmth in every way. "

Friday, 6 July 2018

Monday, 2 July 2018

I returned to watercolours and artwork just over three years ago, after a long hiatus. I drew and painted like crazy, and shared my work with everyone online and in small, local exhibitions. I painted lots of scenes here in Levenshulme and Manchester, and everywhere I went.

About eighteen months ago I started painting nude men and I realised at last that this was a subject that I'd never really let myself explore before. I think I was rather shy of asking people to model... but when I did, mostly they were delighted to!

For the first time I'm sharing some of these pictures publicly, and I hope you like them. I want to say a huge thanks to the men who volunteered and who agreed to let me show them to the world. I'm really proud of these pictures - and these fellas. To me, the gay men I know are the real superheroes of this world, and I want these pictures to celebrate them.